Jalopnik - A little love for the LJ

[open_circuit]

I'd be a terrible LJ owner if I didn't throw this out there. Everyone enjoys a bit of navel-gazing, right?

https://jalopnik.com/why-the-2004-to-2006-jeep-wrangler-unlimited-lj-is-the-1837831885 (https://jalopnik.com/why-the-2004-to-2006-jeep-wrangler-unlimited-lj-is-the-1837831885)

[Java]

I love that the OP and both "Thanks" are LJ owners. :thumb:

[Brian]

I love that the OP and both "Thanks" are LJ owners. :thumb:

Rawk on! \m/

[FINOCJ]

LJs are cool! I wish I bought one 10 years ago...they are bit in between in age these days - not old enough (or common enough) to be cheap and easy to work on (like YJs or CJs), but old enough that most have seen quite a few miles and need some TLC. There is just enough computer and electronically controlled features on TJ and LJs to intimidate me as compared to the stupid simplistic aspects of the older jeeps. Of course, compared to the newer JKs and JLs, they are still quite basic. But at least the new ones are hopefully maintenance free for the first 10 years and 100k+ miles...In another 10 years, I will be screwed and either have to buy new(ish) modern vehicles or have to pay other people to work on them....

[open_circuit]

LJs are cool! I wish I bought one 10 years ago...they are bit in between in age these days - not old enough (or common enough) to be cheap and easy to work on (like YJs or CJs), but old enough that most have seen quite a few miles and need some TLC. There is just enough computer and electronically controlled features on TJ and LJs to intimidate me as compared to the stupid simplistic aspects of the older jeeps. Of course, compared to the newer JKs and JLs, they are still quite basic. But at least the new ones are hopefully maintenance free for the first 10 years and 100k+ miles...In another 10 years, I will be screwed and either have to buy new(ish) modern vehicles or have to pay other people to work on them....

Thanks. I think all Jeeps are cool. Hopefully no one feels too left out, since this thread only brought out LJ owners until you jumped in! I feel like nothing looks as much like a prototypical Jeep as a well built CJ or YJ. LJs always look a little awkwardly sized to me, but the performance and extra cargo space are well worth the odd proportions. I need to park next to a gladiator sometime so I can really see how big the new big Jeep is compared to the LJ.

[FINOCJ]

I feel like nothing looks as much like a prototypical Jeep as a well built CJ or YJ. LJs always look a little awkwardly sized to me,

I think LJs need some larger tires to begin to look less awkward...A good lift and 35x12.5 tires seems just about perfect IMO

[open_circuit]

I think LJs need some larger tires to begin to look less awkward...A good lift and 35x12.5 tires seems just about perfect IMO

Definitely. My Jeep looked silly with the 30x9.5 that the previous owner was rolling with. 33x10.5 is better, but still looks a little squatty. I'm not sure I can fit 35x12.5 without another 1.5 - 2 inches of lift and some new wheels to adjust the backspacing for wider tires. I can dream, though.

[Rocrawlr]

A good lift and 35x12.5 tires seems just about perfect IMO

Another LJ owner chiming in...I agree, i ran 35x12.5's with a 4" lift for years and it was the perfect set up for both offroad and onroad performance. I bit the bullet last year and went to 40's, sacrificing some highway driveability for increased trail performance. Jury is still out on whether or not this was the right move.

BTW I think all Jeeps are cool and most Toyotas are too!

[speedkills]

2000lb towing capacity on some jeeps. I had no idea. The mods pulling the wheels out to the corners are cool. Didn’t know that was a thing either but it sure makes a lot of sense.

[newracer]

LJs are cool! I wish I bought one 10 years ago...they are bit in between in age these days - not old enough (or common enough) to be cheap and easy to work on (like YJs or CJs), but old enough that most have seen quite a few miles and need some TLC. There is just enough computer and electronically controlled features on TJ and LJs to intimidate me as compared to the stupid simplistic aspects of the older jeeps. Of course, compared to the newer JKs and JLs, they are still quite basic. But at least the new ones are hopefully maintenance free for the first 10 years and 100k+ miles...In another 10 years, I will be screwed and either have to buy new(ish) modern vehicles or have to pay other people to work on them....

I used to have the same thought about modern vehicles but with a code reader and the vast knowledge of the internet most repairs are easy. My son has an Audi A4 Quattro and they are known for being difficult to diagnose and repair, especially computer and electrical issues. I bought a good code reader and have been able to make all necessary repairs and save a bunch of money.

[Java]

My LJ is pretty easy to work on, you can reach everything and it's a simple machine, basic hand tools do everything. Everything you want to do is on youtube 100x. Parts are cheap too, and always in stock. :thumb:

[speedkills]

I remember popping the hood sitting on the wheel well of my 69 Firebird to work on it. Now with my 2015 LR4 I couldn't find room in the engine bay for a second battery if I wanted one.

[newracer]

I remember popping the hood sitting on the wheel well of my 69 Firebird to work on it. Now with my 2015 LR4 I couldn't find room in the engine bay for a second battery if I wanted one.

That's the biggest difference with new cars, everything is packed in. Sometimes you have to remove half the car just to replace the broken part.